ASU D1 Hockey: Sun Devils split series with Lindenwood in shootout loss

(Photo: Allyson Cummings/WCSN)

Arizona State dropped its fourth game of the season tonight after a 3-2 shootout loss to Lindenwood.

For Lindenwood, the story was the same. The Lions would need to strike early and do everything they could to dictate the tempo of the match if they wanted to steal at least one game away from the top-ranked Sun Devils. This task seemed to prove too daunting for the team last night, as they were shut-out by goalie Robert Levin.

The shutout was Levin’s sixth of the season.

Just as it was last night, defense would yet again be the storyline in this match-up. The Lions gave little room for the Sun Devils to operate. With just eight minutes remaining in the first period, forward Sean Murphy was able to score off of an assist from none other than forward Liam Norris, to put the Devils up 1-0 in the first period.

The second period was yet another blueline showing for both teams, and neither goalie gave much space for any sort of offensive opportunity. Levin looked dialed-in yet again, and Lindenwood didn’t look to have any answers. The Lions would put something together with less than a minute remaining in the second period, after forward Kevin Walters was able to score off of the feed from defenseman Mitchell Riese.

In a very uncharacteristic affair for Arizona State, the third period would open with the score tied at one apiece.

The Lions would then capitalize on another opportunity in the third period after forward Rock Einersen would score is 13^th goal of the season thanks to an assist from forward Michael Lozano, giving the Lions a 2-1 lead very late in the game. However, The Devils would miraculous score with just 34 seconds remaining in the game thanks to red-hot right-wing Michael Cummings’ clutch goal off of Liam Norris’ second assist of the game.

The game was then tied at two.  After a scoreless overtime period, the Devils would fall in the shootout after defenseman Brandon Rumble would sneak the game-winner by Levin.

The Devils will look to bounce back against Stony Brook on Jan. 22  at Oceanside Arena in Tempe. Catch the live broadcast at http://cronkitesports.com/live-broadcasts.

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post